Continuous baler

ABSTRACT

A continuous baler having a movable section having an open mode and a closed mode. In the closed mode, the movable section is joined to a baling half chamber and a tying half chamber to form a baling chamber and a tying chamber, respectively. In the open mode, the movable section is moved away from the baling half chamber and tying half chamber, in order to allow passage of a bale formed in the baling chamber from the baling half chamber to the tying half chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/140,761 filed Sep. 25, 2018, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to farmingmachinery and more particularly to machinery designed for collectingcrop to produce cylindrical bales.

BACKGROUND

Balers are farming machines configured for collecting crop and producecylindrical bales. Many balers are powered by tractors orself-propelled. Conventional round balers pick up crop and compress thecrop into compacted bales in a bale forming chamber. There are generallythree major steps in the operation of a round baler: bale-forming,tying, and ejecting.

A crop pickup unit picks up material lying on the ground and feeds it tothe bale forming chamber of the baler to form a bale. Once the bale ofdesired density is fully formed, the vehicle may stop and a tying cyclemay begin. With the forward motion of the baler stopped, mesh, twine orfilm is wrapped around the bale using an automated mechanism associatedwith the bale chamber. Once tying or wrapping is complete, ejecting maybegin in which the bale chamber is opened, typically by lifting atailgate, and the wrapped bale falls or is pushed out of the balechamber. After ejection, bale-forming is restarted for a new bale andthe operator feeds the crop to the baler and moves the baler through thefield.

Continuous balers are balers that can produce ad eject a bale whilepicking up crop for the next bale. In this manner, continuous balers arenot required to stop. Current continuous round balers are complicated inconstruction, include many moving parts, and therefore a major cause ofreliability issues. Such systems may have two baling chambers, onelocated above the other, a feature which may pose challenges for balingdry crops and straw. This is because, the adhesion of dry crop to a unitwhich collects and guides the crop is minimal. Thus, the collected drycrop tends to accumulate and clogs at the entry of the baling chambers.

Another form of continuous balers uses endless belts inside balingchambers, which are complicated in construction. In such endless belts,initially the crop is fed to a belt, the slackness of which is graduallyincreased to forms a cylindrical cavity to produce round bale. After apredetermined quantity of crop has been fed to the baler, the belt rollsover the bale and the belt is now ready for next bale. This processrequires many adjustments in the tension of the belt and thereforerequires complicated sensors and linear actuators or hydrauliccylinders.

European Patent EP 3058806 discloses a round baler for forming a balefrom a crop product. The round baler comprises a first bale formingchamber provided with a first bale forming mechanism, a second baleforming chamber provided with a second bale forming mechanism, a workingunit, comprising a rotor rotatable around a rotor axis of a feedingmechanism, a transfer unit, and a density control mechanism, configuredto detect a density of a preformed bale in the first bale formingchamber, wherein one or more sections of the first bale forming chamberprovide for one or more control elements of the density controlmechanism.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,253,948 discloses a continuous round baler system thathas a baler and an accumulating system. The accumulating system includesa conveyor configured to convey crop material extending from a pickupmechanism to a bale formation chamber in the baler. A screed ispositioned adjacent the end of the conveyor and is configured to bemovable by a lifting mechanism between a raised position and a loweredposition relative to the first conveyor. In the raised position, a gapis formed between the screed and the first conveyor so that cropmaterial passes into the bale formation chamber. In the loweredposition, the gap is closed thereby preventing the crop material frompassing to the baler causing the crop material to remain on theconveyor.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,237 discloses a large round baler, designed as anon-stop baler, which includes a mobile chassis supporting a lowerbaling chamber section, defined by a floor conveyor arrangement, and anupper baling chamber section. The upper baling chamber section, togetherwith opposite side walls, is mounted for fore-and-aft movement relativeto the lower baling chamber section between a rear location, wherein itcooperates with the floor conveyor arrangement to define a rear balingchamber, and a front location wherein it cooperates with the floorconveyor arrangement to define a front baling chamber. The upper chambersection includes front and rear wall portions which are mounted forbeing raised once a bale is formed in the rear baling chamber so thatthe upper section may be moved to its forward location. A wrappingdevice is provided which is operable once the upper chamber section ismoved to its front location, for wrapping the bale with overlappingwraps of sheeting made from plastic or the like so as to provide an airtight casing for the crop material so as to make silage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates tocontinuous baler for forming bales of crop. The baler includes acollection unit, a baling half chamber, a movable section, a tying halfchamber, and a binding unit. The collection unit is located at a frontend of the baler and is configured for collecting the crop from a groundon which the continuous baler travels. The baling half chamber islocated behind the collection unit and is configured to receive the cropfrom the collection unit and comprising two first walls and a pluralityof first horizontal rollers parallel to each other and disposed betweenthe two first walls along a first arcuate path along a vertical plane.The movable section is located aft of the baling half chamber andincludes a front half chamber on a front side of the movable section anda rear half chamber on a rear side thereof. The front half chamberincludes two second walls and a plurality of second horizontal rollersparallel to each other and to the first horizontal rollers and disposedbetween the two second walls along a second arcuate path along avertical plane. The rear half chamber includes two third walls and aplurality of third horizontal rollers parallel to each other anddisposed between the two third walls along a third arcuate path along avertical plane. The tying half chamber located behind the movablesection and includes two fourth walls and a gate. The two fourth wallswhich are opposing side walls of the tying chamber. The gate located isbehind the fourth walls and is substantially perpendicular to the fourthwalls. The gate includes a plurality of fourth horizontal rollersparallel to each other and to the third horizontal rollers and disposedalong a fourth arcuate vertical path. The gate is hinged to a rearsection of a floor of the tying half chamber. The binding unit islocated in the rear half chamber or in the tying half chamber. Themovable section is movable between an open mode and a closed modethereof. In the closed mode of the movable section, the baling halfchamber and the front half chamber of the movable section are joined toform a substantially cylindrical baling chamber in which the firstarcuate path of the first rollers and the second arcuate path of thesecond rollers form together a first circular path. The baling chamberis configured to rotate the crop received from the collection unitinside the cylindrical baling chamber in order to form a cylindricalbale. In the open mode of the movable section, the front half chamber ismoved away from the baling half chamber, thereby opening the balingchamber and enabling passage of the bale into the tying half chamber. Inthe closed mode of the movable section, the tying half chamber and therear half chamber of the movable section are joined to form a tyingchamber in which the third arcuate path of the third rollers and thefourth arcuate path of the fourth rollers are opposite sides of a secondcircular path, when the gate is closed. The tying chamber is configuredto cause the bale to rotate about the bale's cylindrical axis whileactivating the binding unit to bind the bale. The gate is configured foropening by rotating about a first hinge thereof to release the bale outof the baler, after the bale is bound.

In a variant, the second rollers are parallel to the third rollers.

In another variant, the collection unit is joined to the baling halfchamber via a second hinge and is configured to rotated around thesecond hinge for being selectively lowered to the ground and raised fromthe ground.

In yet another variant, the first walls are parallel to each other.

In a further variant, the second walls are parallel to each other.

In yet another variant, the third walls are parallel to each other.

In a variant, the fourth walls are parallel to each other.

In yet variant, the movable section is joined to a top of the balinghalf chamber via a third hinge and is configured to move between theclosed mode and the open mode by rotating about the third hinge.

In yet another variant, the movable section is joined to a top of thetying half chamber via a fourth hinge and is configured to move betweenthe closed mode and the open mode by rotating about the fourth hinge.

In a further variant, the continuous baler further includes an elevator,wherein the movable section is joined to the elevator, such that theelevator is configured for raising the movable section to the open modeand for lowering the movable section to the closed mode.

In yet a further variant, the continuous baler comprises a conveyorlocated between the baling half chamber and the tying half chamber, theconveyor being configured to carry the bale from the baling half chamberto the tying half chamber.

Optionally, a rear section of the conveyor is the floor of the tyinghalf chamber.

In a variant, the continuous baler includes a pressure sensor associatedwith at least one of the first rollers and/or at least one of the secondrollers, and a first actuator configured for moving the movable section.The pressure sensor is configured for sensing a pressure exerted by thebale on the at least one of the first rollers and/or at least one of thesecond rollers when the movable section is in the closed mode, and forcausing the first actuator to move the movable section to the open modewhen the pressure reaches a predetermined pressure.

In another variant, the first circular path is larger than the secondcircular path, such that a closing of the movable section on the balewhen the bale is in the tying the chamber is configured to compress thebale in the tying chamber.

In yet another variant, the continuous baler further includes a secondactuator and a sensing unit associated with the binding mechanism,wherein the sensing unit is configured for detecting an end of a bindingof the bale inside the tying chamber and for causing the gate to open inorder to eject the bale out of the baler.

In a further variant, the continuous baler further includes a secondactuator and a proximity sensor associated with the tying chamber,wherein the presence proximity sensor is configured for sensing apresence of the bale in the tying chamber and on the gate while the gateis open and for causing the second actuator to close the gate if thepresence of the bale is sense neither in the tying chamber nor on thegate.

Another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to amethod for forming crop bales, the method comprising: providing a baler;forming a baling chamber in the baler by joining a front half chamber ofa movable section to a fixed half baling chamber; continuouslycollecting crop from a front side and leading the crop to a baling halfchamber; rolling the crop to form a bale in the baling chamber; once thebale reaches a desired size and density, opening the baling chamber, bymoving the movable section away from the baling half chamber; leadingthe bale to a fixed tying half chamber; forming a tying chamber byclosing the movable section in order to join a rear half chamber of themovable section to the fixed tying half chamber; binding the bale in thetying chamber; once the bale is bound, opening a gate at a rear side ofthe baler; leading the bale out of the baler via the gate; once the baleis out of the baler, closing the gate.

In a variant, the forming of the tying chamber comprises simultaneouslyforming the baling chamber. The binding of the bale in the tying chambercomprises simultaneously forming a second bale in the baling chamber.The method comprises, after the closing of the gate, opening the balingchamber and leading the second bale to the tying half chamber.

In another variant, the forming of the tying chamber comprisescompressing the bale in the tying chamber.

Another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to acontinuous baler for forming bales of crop. The baler includes acollection unit, a baling half chamber, a movable section, a tying halfchamber, and a tying unit. The collection unit is located at a front endof the baler and is configured for collecting the crop from a ground onwhich the continuous baler travels. The baling half chamber is locatedbehind the collection unit and is configured to receive the crop fromthe collection unit. The baling half chamber includes two first wallsand a plurality of first horizontal rollers parallel to each other anddisposed between the two first walls along a first arcuate path along avertical plane. The movable section is located aft of the baling halfchamber and includes a front half chamber on a front side of the movablesection and a rear half chamber on a rear side thereof. The front halfchamber includes two second walls and a plurality of second horizontalrollers parallel to each other and to the first horizontal rollers anddisposed between the two second walls along a second arcuate path alonga vertical plane. The rear half chamber includes two third walls and aplurality of third horizontal rollers parallel to each other anddisposed between the two third walls along a third arcuate path along avertical plane. The tying half chamber is located behind the movablesection and includes two fourth walls and a gate. The two fourth wallsare opposing side walls of the tying chamber. The gate is located behindthe fourth walls and includes two fifth walls and a plurality of fourthhorizontal rollers parallel to each other and to the third horizontalroller. The fourth horizontal rollers are disposed along a fourtharcuate vertical path between the two fifth walls. The gate is hingedvia a first hinge to a top section of each of the fourth walls. Thebinding unit is located in the rear half chamber or in the tying halfchamber. The movable section is movable between an open mode and aclosed mode thereof. In the closed mode of the movable section, thebaling half chamber and the front half chamber of the movable sectionare joined to form a substantially cylindrical baling chamber in whichthe first arcuate path of the first rollers and the second arcuate pathof the second rollers form together a first circular path. The balingchamber is configured to rotate the crop received from the collectionunit inside the cylindrical baling chamber in order to form acylindrical bale. In the open mode of the movable section, the fronthalf chamber is moved away from the baling half chamber, thereby openingthe baling chamber and enabling passage of the bale into the tying halfchamber. In the closed mode of the movable section, the tying halfchamber and the rear half chamber of the movable section are joined toform a tying chamber in which the third arcuate path of the thirdrollers and the fourth arcuate path of the fourth rollers form a secondcircular path, when the gate is closed. The tying chamber is configuredto cause the bale to rotate about the bale's cylindrical axis whileactivating the binding unit to bind the bale. The gate is configured foropening by swinging about the first hinge thereof to release the baleout of the baler, after the bale is bound.

In a variant, the second rollers are parallel to the third rollers.

In another variant, the collection unit is joined to the baling halfchamber via a second hinge, and is configured to rotate around thesecond hinge for being selectively lowered to the ground and raised fromthe ground.

In yet another variant, the first walls are parallel to each other.

In a further variant, the second walls are parallel to each other.

In yet a further variant, the third walls are parallel to each other.

In a variant, the fourth walls are parallel to each other.

In another variant, the movable section is joined to a top of the balinghalf chamber via a third hinge, and is configured to move between theclosed mode and the open mode by rotating about the third hinge.

In yet another variant, the movable section is joined to a top of thetying half chamber via a fourth hinge, and is configured to move betweenthe closed mode and the open mode by rotating about the fourth hinge.

In a further variant the continuous baler further includes an elevator,wherein the movable section is joined to the elevator, such that theelevator is configured for raising the movable section to the open modeand for lowering the movable section to the closed mode.

In yet a further variant, the continuous baler further comprises aconveyor located between the baling half chamber and the tying halfchamber, the conveyor being configured to carry the bale from the balinghalf chamber to the tying half chamber.

Optionally, the rear section of the conveyor is the floor of the tyinghalf chamber.

In a variant, the continuous baler comprises a pressure sensorassociated with at least one of the first rollers and/or at least one ofthe second rollers, and a first actuator configured for moving themovable section. The pressure sensor is configured for sensing apressure exerted by the bale on the at least one of the first rollersand/or at least one of the second rollers when the movable section is inthe closed mode, and for causing the first actuator to move the movablesection to the open mode when the pressure reaches a predeterminedpressure.

In another variant, the first circular path is larger than the secondcircular path, such that a closing of the movable section on the balewhen the bale is in the tying the chamber is configured to compress thebale in the tying chamber.

In yet another variant, the continuous baler includes a second actuatorand a sensing unit associated with the binding mechanism. The sensingunit is configured for detecting an end of a binding of the bale insidethe tying chamber and for causing the gate to open in order to eject thebale out of the baler.

In a further variant, the continuous baler further comprises a secondactuator and a proximity sensor associated with the tying chamber. Theproximity sensor is configured for sensing a presence of the bale in thetying chamber and on the gate while the gate is open and for causing thesecond actuator to close the gate if the presence of the bale is sensedneither in the tying chamber nor on the gate.

In yet a further variant, the conveyor comprises: a conveyor belt; or aseries of floor rollers disposed in a sequence one after the other; orthe series of floor rollers disposed in a sequence one after the otherand the conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belt surrounds the series ofthe floor rollers.

Another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to amethod for forming crop bales. The method comprises: providing a baler;forming a baling chamber in the baler by joining a front half chamber ofa movable section to a fixed half baling chamber; continuouslycollecting crop from a front side and leading the crop to a baling halfchamber; rolling the crop to form a bale in the baling chamber; once thebale reaches a desired size and density, opening the baling chamber, bymoving the movable section away from the baling half chamber; leadingthe bale to a fixed tying half chamber; forming a tying chamber byclosing the movable section in order to join a rear half chamber of themovable section to the fixed tying half chamber; binding the bale in thetying chamber; once the bale is bound, opening a gate at a rear side ofthe baler; leading the bale out of the baler via the gate; once the baleis out of the baler, closing the gate.

In a variant, the forming of the tying chamber comprises simultaneouslyforming the baling chamber. The binding of the bale in the tying chambercomprises simultaneously forming a second bale in the baling chamber.The method comprises, after the closing of the gate, opening the balingchamber and leading the second bale to the tying half chamber.

In another variant, the forming of the tying chamber comprisescompressing the bale in the tying chamber.

Another aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relaters toa continuous baler for forming bales of crop. The baler including acollection unit, a baling half chamber, a movable section, a tying halfchamber, and a binding unit. The collection unit is located at a frontend of the baler and is configured for collecting the crop from a groundon which the continuous baler travels. The baling half chamber islocated behind the collection unit and is configured to receive the cropfrom the collection unit. The movable section is located aft of thebaling half chamber, is movable between an open mode and a closed modethereof, and includes a front half chamber on a front side of themovable section and a rear half chamber on a rear side thereof. Thetying half chamber located is located behind the movable section, andincludes a gate at an aft portion thereof. The binding unit is locatedin the rear half chamber or in the tying half chamber. In the closedmode of the movable section, the baling half chamber and the front halfchamber are joined to form a baling chamber, and the tying half chamberand the rear half chamber are joined to form a tying chamber. The balingchamber is configured to rotate the crop received from the collectionunit inside the baling chamber in order to form a bale. In the open modeof the movable section, the front half chamber is disposed away from thebaling half chamber, thereby forming an opening in the baling chamberand enabling passage of the bale into the tying half chamber. The tyingchamber is configured to cause the bale to rotate while activating thebinding unit to bind the bale. The gate is configured for opening torelease the bale out of the baler, after the bale is bound.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the featuresin accordance with embodiments of the invention. The summary is notintended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined solely bythe claims attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only andmerely depict typical or example embodiments of the invention. Thesedrawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of theinvention and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, orapplicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity andease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baler according to some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collection unit of the baler of theFIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a baling-half chamber of the baler of FIG. 1,according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a movable section of the baler of FIG. 1, accordingto some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a baler of the present invention, inwhich the moving section is hinged to the baling half chamber;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a baler of the present invention, inwhich the moving section is hinged to the tying half chamber;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a baler of the present invention, inwhich the moving section is joined to an elevator;

FIGS. 11a and 11b illustrates an example of tying half chamber of thebaler of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an example of the gate of the baler of FIG.1, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the inside of the baler of FIG. 1, during baleforming in the baling chamber, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the baler of FIG. 1, during a transfer of abale to the tying half-chamber, by opening the movable section,according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the baler of FIG. 1, during a tying of a balein the tying chamber, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a side view of the inside of the baler of FIG. 1, duringtying in the tying chamber and simultaneous bale forming in the balingchamber, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the inside of the baler of FIG. 1, during anejection of a bale and simultaneous bale forming in the baling chamber,according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 19a and 19b are side views of an inside of the baler of FIG. 1,having a conveyor which includes a plurality of floor rollers disposedone after the other in a sequence, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic drawing of a baler of the present inventionhaving sensors and actuators controlling the operation of the baler,according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a baler having an upward-swinging gate,according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a baler having an upward-swinging gatewith the movable portion in an open mode, according to some embodimentsof the present invention;

FIGS. 23 and 24 and perspective views of a baler having anupward-swinging gate when the gate is open, according to someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a schematic view of the baler of FIG. 21, during theproduction of a bale in the baling chamber, according to someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of the baler of FIG. 21, while the bale isbeing transferred from the baling half chamber to the tying halfchamber, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a schematic view of the baler of FIG. 21, while the bale isbeing tied in the tying chamber, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 28 is a schematic view of the baler of FIG. 21, while the bale isbeing ejected by opening the gate, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 29 is an example of the baler of FIG. 21, in which the movable partis hingedly joined to the tying half-chamber, according to someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is an example of the baler of FIG. 21, in which the movable partis joined to an elevator, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating a method for baling, according tosome embodiments of the present invention.

The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that theinvention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and thatthe invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

From time-to-time, the present invention is described herein in terms ofexample environments. Description in terms of these environments isprovided to allow the various features and embodiments of the inventionto be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application. Afterreading this description, it will become apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art how the invention can be implemented in different andalternative environments.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, applications,published applications and other publications referred to herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forthin this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with adefinition set forth in applications, published applications and otherpublications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definitionset forth in this document prevails over the definition that isincorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a baler 100 according to someembodiments of the present invention.

The baler 100 of the present invention has a front side and a back side.The baler 100 includes collection unit 101 at the front side of thebaler, followed by a fixed baling half chamber 102, a movable section103, and a fixed tying half-chamber 105.

The baler 100 can be operated continuously, that is without interruptingthe operation during discharge of a bale. The baler 100 may be used forforming bales from any crop, for example, grass, hay, straw and the likein dry or wet condition. The baler 100 might be powered by (carried by)a tractor or may be self-propelled.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of the collection unit 101 ofthe baler 100 of the FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

The collection unit 101 is located at the front of the baler 100 and isconfigured for collecting crop from the floor and feed it to other unitsof the baler 100. Any crop collection mechanism may be used in thecollection unit 101. In the non-limiting example of FIG. 2, thecollection unit 101 includes a plurality of tines 200 rotating invertical planes that raise crop from the ground and convey the cropupward. At the rear/outlet end of the collection unit 101, thecollection unit 101 extends to the baling half chamber 102. In someembodiment of the present invention, the collection unit 101 includesblades (not shown) attached to chop the collected crop.

Optionally, the collection unit is joined to the baling half chamber 102via a hinge 202. In this manner, the collection unit 101 can be loweredto the ground when the baler 100 collects crop and raised when the baler100 is to travel without collecting crop. The latter configuration, withthe raised collection unit is shown in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an example of baling-half chamber 102 of thebaler 100 of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the baling half chamber 102. FIG. 4is a perspective rear view of the baling half chamber 102.

The fixed half chamber 102 is joined to the rear end of the collectionunit 101. The fixed half chamber 102 includes a plurality of firsthorizontal rollers 204. The first rollers are parallel to each other,aligned with each other, and disposed between two first vertical walls206 and 208 along a first arcuate path along a vertical plane. The twofirst vertical walls 206 and 208 are optionally parallel to each other.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an example of the movable section 103 of the baler100 of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 5 is a side view of the movable section 103. FIG. 6 is a frontperspective view of the movable section 103. FIG. 7 is a readperspective view of the movable section 103.

The movable section 103 includes a front half chamber 208 at the frontof the movable section 103 and a rear half chamber 210 at the rear ofthe movable section 103. The movable section 103 has an openmode/configuration and a closed mode/configuration. In the closedmode/configuration, the front half chamber 208 is joined to the balinghalf chamber 102 to form a baling chamber in which a bale is formed fromcollected crop, and the rear half chamber 210 is joined to the tyinghalf chamber 105 to form a tying chamber in which a bale is tied orwrapped. In the open mode/configuration, the bale is transferred fromthe baling half chamber 102 to the tying half chamber 105.

The front half chamber 208 has a plurality of second rollers 212, whichare parallel to each other and to the first rollers 204 of the balinghalf chamber 102, aligned with each other, and disposed between twosecond vertical walls 214 and 216 along a second vertical arcuate path.The two second vertical walls 214 and 216 are optionally parallel toeach other.

The rear half chamber 210 is located behind the front half chamber. Therear half chamber 210 includes third rollers 218 which are parallel toeach other, aligned with each other, and disposed between two thirdvertical walls 220 and 222 along a third vertical arcuate path. Thethird rollers are 210 are parallel to and aligned with the rollers ofthe gate (as will be explained further below). The two third verticalwalls 220 and 222 are optionally parallel to each other. In someembodiments of the present invention, the third rollers 210 are alsoparallel to second rollers 212.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the rear half chamber 210includes a binding device 104 configured for binding the bale when thebale is inside the tying chamber formed by the rear half chamber 210 andthe tying half chamber 105 when the movable section 103 is in its closedmode. The binding device 104 may, for example bind the bales by bindingthe bales with twine or wrapping the bales with mesh or plastic film.

In the embodiments in which twine is used, the binding device 104includes a triggering mechanism, a first arm, a worm gearbox pulley, anda clipping arm. The triggering mechanism extends the arm to the top ofthe bale. The arm falls when the bale reaches a predetermined size.Twine is routed to the arm through rollers, connected to the wormgearbox pulley, and connected with a second arm which acts as crank.Twine extends to somewhat one foot from the arm to catch hold the bale.When the twine catches the bale, the arm moves longitudinally along thebale, hence tying the twin over the bale at a definite pitch. Anautomated cutting mechanism is provided, which cuts the twine at adesired point, to allow the twine to be used for the next bale.

In the embodiments in which mesh or plastic film is used as bindingmaterial, the binding material is fed electrically or by other meansthrough gripping rollers when the desired bale size is reached. Afterwrapping, the gripping rollers brake to stop feeding the bindingmaterial and a cutting mechanism is actuated to cut the mesh/film (notshown).

The movable section 103 is movable with respect to the baling halfchamber 102 and the tying half chamber 105. In some embodiments of thepresent invention the movable section 103 is hinged to the top of thebaling half chamber 102 and is configured for rotating around the hingein order to achieve the open and closed modes. Optionally, the movablesection 103 has a hinge mechanism 224 joined to the top roller of thefirst rollers 204, so that the rotation of the movable section 103occurs around the top first roller 204.

Such embodiments are shown in detail in FIG. 8, which illustrates anexample of a baler 100 of the present invention, in which the movingsection 103 is hinged to the top of the baling half chamber 102. In someembodiments of the present invention, the baler 100 includes a conveyor108 located between the baling half chamber 102 and the tying halfchamber 105, under the movable section 103. The conveyor 108 isconfigured to carry the bale from the baling half chamber 102 to thetying half chamber 105. The conveyor 108 may include horizontal rollers,a conveyor belt, or chain and slate mechanism. The conveyor 108 may bein the form of a conveyor belt as seen for example in FIGS. 14 and 17,or may be in the form of a plurality of floor rollers 108 a disposed oneafter the other to form the floor of the baler 100 as seen in FIG. 19a ,or may include the floor rollers 108 a and the conveyor belt 108 bsurrounding the floor rollers 108 a as seen in FIG. 19 b.

In a variant, the movable section 103 is hinged to the tying halfchamber 105, as shown in the example of FIG. 9. In some embodiments ofthe present invention, the tying half chamber 105 includes an extension226 and a hinge mechanism 228 near the top of the extension 226. Thehinge mechanism is joined to the rear half chamber of the movablesection 103 and allows rotation of the movable section 103 around thehinge 228.

In a variant, the movable section 103 is movable via an elevator. Thisis shown in detail in the example of FIG. 10. The baler 100 includes anelevator 230 and the movable section 103 is joined to the elevator, suchthat the elevator is configured for raising and lowering the movablesection 103. When the movable section 103 is in a raised configuration,it is in the open mode, allowing passage of a bale from the baling halfchamber 102 to the tying half chamber 105. When the movable section 103is in a lowered configuration, it is in a closed mode, such that thebaling half chamber 102 and the front half chamber of the movablesection 103 are joined to form a baling chamber configured for formingbales from collected crop, while the tying half chamber 105 and the readhalf chamber of the movable section 103 are joined to form a tyingchamber configured for tying and/or wrapping a bale located therein.

FIGS. 11a and 11b illustrate an example of a tying half chamber 105 ofthe baler 100 of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 11a is a side view of the tying half chamber 105. FIG.11b is a perspective side of the tying half chamber 105 joined to therear half chamber 210.

The tying half chamber 105 includes two fourth vertical walls 232 and231 and a gate 107. The fourth vertical walls 232 and 231 are opposingside walls of the tying half chamber 105, and are optionally parallel toeach other and to the walls 220 and 222 of the rear half chamber 210 ofthe movable section 103. The gate 107 is substantially perpendicular tothe fourth walls 232 and 231 and is the rear wall of the tying halfchamber 105.

The gate 107 is hinged to the rear a floor of the tying half chamber 105and is configured for rotating around the hinge 234 to open and close.When the gate is closed, the bale is retained inside the tying halfchamber 105. When the gate 107 is open, the bale is released from therear of the baler 100. In some embodiments of the present invention, thegate 107 opens and closes by automatic sensor actuation. The bindingmechanism 104 is associated with a sensing unit configured for detectingthe end of the binding of the bale and causing the gate 104 to open torelease the bound bale. In some embodiments of the present invention,the binding includes wrapping with plastic film/mesh and the sensingunit includes proximity sensors. In some embodiments of the presentinvention, the binding includes tying with a twine, and the sensing unitmay include limit switches. The gate 107 may be operated by means of anelectric or hydraulic actuator 236. Optionally, the floor of the tyinghalf chamber 105 includes the rear section of the conveyor 108.

In some embodiments, of the present invention, tying half chamber 105includes a binding mechanism like the binding mechanism 104 shown inFIG. 7.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an example of the gate 107 of the baler 100of FIG. 1, according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG.12 is a side view of the gate 107, while FIG. 13 is a perspective viewof the gate 107.

The gate 104 includes a plurality of fourth horizontal rollers 238parallel to the third horizontal rollers 218 of the rear half chamber210 and disposed along fourth vertical arcuate path. Optionally, thefourth horizontal rollers 238 are held between two fifth vertical walls240 and 242 defining sides of the gate 104.

As mentioned above, the gate is configured to open and close by rotatingaround a hinge 234. The hinge 234 may be one of the fourth rollers ofthe gate. In some embodiments of the present invention, the hinge 234 isthe lowermost roller of the gate and is joined to the floor of the tyinghalf chamber.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the inside of the baler 100 of FIG. 1, duringbale forming in the baling chamber, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention. FIG. 15 is a side view of the baler 100 of FIG. 1,during a transfer of a bale to the tying half-chamber, by opening themovable section, according to some embodiments of the present invention.FIG. 16 is a side view of the baler 100 of FIG. 1, during a tying of abale in the tying chamber, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 17 is a side view of the inside of the baler 100 of FIG.1, during tying in the tying chamber and simultaneous bale forming inthe baling chamber, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 18 is a side view of the inside of the baler of FIG. 1,during an ejection of a bale and simultaneous bale forming in the balingchamber, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Initially (FIG. 14), the movable section 103 is in its closed mode.Thus, the baling half chamber 102 and the front half chamber of 208 ofthe movable section 103 are joined together to form a baling chamber.The first arcuate path of the first rollers and the second arcuate pathof the second rollers form a first circular path. Thus, the inside ofthe baling chamber is substantially cylindrical.

As the baler 100 moves forward, the collection unit 101 collects cropand feeds the crop into baling chamber. In the baling chamber the firstand second rollers rotate to cause the crop to roll around inside thebaling chamber. As more crop is fed into the baling chamber, acylindrical bale 109 is formed. As the bale 109 increase size anddensity, the bale pushes against the rollers with increasing force.

In FIG. 15, the bale 109 is fully formed by reaching a desired size anddensity, and therefore pushes against the rollers with a certainpressure. One or more pressure sensors associated with at least one ofthe first and/or second rollers detect the pressure and cause anactuator of the movable section 103 to open the movable section bymoving the front half chamber away from the baling half chamber, therebyopening the baling chamber. The bale 109 is released from the balinghalf chamber 102 and allowed passage to the tying half chamber 105. Ifpresent, the conveyor 108 guides the bale 109 from the bling chamber 102to the tying half chamber 105.

In FIG. 16, the bale 109 reaches the tying half chamber 105, and themovable section 103 closes. In this manner, the rear half chamber 210 ofthe movable section 103 joins the tying half chamber 105 to form a tyingchamber. The third arcuate path of the third rollers and the fourtharcuate path of the fourth rollers are opposite sides of a secondcircular path. The third and fourth rollers rotate causing the bale 109to rotate about its cylindrical axis. As the bale 109 rotates, thebinding unit located in the rear half chamber or in the tying halfchamber binds the bale 109, as described above. Optionally, the size ofthe second circular path of the tying chamber is smaller than the sizeof the first circular path of the baling chamber. Therefore, as themovable section 103 closes, the bale 109 is compressed inside the tyingchamber. In some embodiments of the present invention, while the bale109 rotates within the tying chamber, no crop is introduced from outsideinto the tying chamber.

It should be noted that the fixed vertical walls of the tying halfchamber 105 ensure that loose portions of dry crop are not lost from thebale during the binding of the bale.

As mentioned above, the baler 100 of the present invention is configuredto operate continuously. The collection unit 101 is configured forcontinuously collecting crop. Even as the bale 109 is being tied, newcrop is being collected and a new bale 200 is being formed in the balingchamber, as seen in FIG. 17. Therefore, the baler's operation is notstopped at any time.

In FIG. 18, the first bale 109 has been tied, and is released from thebaler 100 by opening the gate 107 and guiding the bale 109 via thefourth rollers of the gate 107. In the meantime, while the movablesection 103 is still closed, the second bale 200 is still being formed.Once the first bale is out, the gate 107 is closed, and the processstarted in FIG. 14 repeats for the second bale 200. In some embodimentof the present invention, the baler includes a proximity sensorassociated with the tying chamber, to detect the presence of the baleinside the tying chamber or on the gate, once the gate has been opened.If the proximity sensor detects that the bale is no longer in the tyingchamber, the proximity sensor causes the actuator 106 to close the gate.In a variant, the proximity sensor includes a weight sensor associatedwith the floor of the tying half chamber and/or the gate. Any otherproximity sensors known in the art may be used to determine the presenceor absence of the bale.

In the present invention, a single baling chamber is formed, which has afixed section (the baling half chamber). The collection unitcontinuously collects crop and feeds the crop to the baling halfchamber. In this manner, there is no need to a complex control of thecollection unit, or a need to feed the crop to different balingchambers. Moreover, in the present invention, first and/or secondrollers are associate with a pressure sensor, so that once the balereaches a desired size and density, the associated pressure is detected,and the movable section is opened. In this manner there is no need forcomplex bale density measurement systems.

It should be noted that expression “half-chamber” does not mean theexact half of a chamber. Rather, the expression refers to a part of achamber, which when joined to “half-chamber” forms a closed chamber.

FIG. 19 is a schematic drawing of a baler of the present inventionhaving sensors and actuators controlling the operation of the baler.

The baler 100 includes at least one pressure sensor 250, a firstactuator 252, a sensing unit 254, and a proximity sensor 256.

The pressure sensor 250 is associated with at least one of the firstrollers of the baling half chamber 102 and/or with at least one of thesecond rollers of the movable section 103. The pressure sensor 250 isconfigured to measure the pressure exerted by the bale on at least oneof the first and/or second rollers. Once the bale reaches a desired sizeand density, the pressure reaches a predetermined threshold, and thepressure sensor 250 sends a signal to the first actuator 252 to move themovable section 103 to its open mode, to allow the bale to be guided tothe tying half chamber 105. The first actuator 252 is associated withthe movable section 103 and is configured for moving the movable section103 between its open and closed modes, as described above in FIGS. 8-10.

The sensing unit 254 is associated with the biding unit 104 and isconfigured for sensing an end of the binding of the bale, as describedabove. Once the end of the binding is sensed, the sensing unit 254 sendsan activation signal to the actuator 106 to open the gate 107, in orderto eject the bound bale.

The proximity sensor 256 is configured to sense the presence of a balein the tying chamber and on the gate 107 after the gate has been opened,as explained above. Once the proximity sensor 256 senses that the baleis neither in the tying chamber nor on the gate 107, the bale has beenejected from the baler and the proximity sensor 256 sends a signal tothe actuator 106 to close the gate in preparation of the binding of thenext bale.

FIGS. 21-30 refer to some embodiments of the present invention, in whicha continuous baler 400 has an upward-swinging gate 107 at the rear ofthe baler.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a baler having an upward-swinging gate,according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 21 is aperspective view of a baler having an upward-swinging gate with themovable portion in an open mode, according to some embodiments of thepresent invention. FIGS. 23 and 24 and perspective views of a balerhaving an upward-swinging gate when the gate is open, according to someembodiments of the present invention. FIG. 25 is a schematic view of thebaler of FIG. 21, during the production of a bale in the baling chamber,according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 26 is aschematic view of the baler of FIG. 21, while the bale is beingtransferred from the baling half chamber to the tying half chamber,according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 27 is aschematic view of the baler of FIG. 21, while the bale is being tied inthe tying chamber, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 28 is a schematic view of the baler of FIG. 21, whilethe bale is being ejected by opening the gate, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

The continuous baler 400 is similar to the baler 100 of FIGS. 1-20. Inthe baler 400 includes a collection unit 101 at the front side of thebaler as described above, followed by a fixed baling half chamber 102 asdescribed above, a movable section 103 as described above, and a tyinghalf-chamber which differs than the tying-half chamber described above.

The tying half chamber includes two fourth walls 231 and 232 which areopposing side walls of the tying chamber, and a gate 107. The gate 107is located behind the fourth walls 231 and 232 and includes two fifthwalls 404 and 406 and a plurality of fourth horizontal rollers 402parallel to each other and to the third horizontal rollers of themovable section 103. The fifth walls may be horizontal walls parallel toeach other. The fourth horizontal rollers 402 and disposed along afourth arcuate vertical path between the two fifth walls 404 and 406.The gate 107 is being hinged via a first hinge 408 to a top section ofeach of the fourth walls 404 and 406. The tying chamber includes abinding unit is located in the rear half chamber or in the tying halfchamber. The binding unit is configured to bind (tie) the bale, asexplained above, while the bale is rotated inside the tying chamber.

In the closed mode of the movable section, the tying half chamber andthe rear half chamber of the movable section 103 are joined to form atying chamber in which the third arcuate path of the third rollers 218and the fourth arcuate path of the fourth rollers 402 form a secondcircular path, when the gate 107 is closed. The gate is configured foropening by rotating about the first hinge 408 thereof to release thebale out of the baler 400, after the bale is bound.

When the movable section 103 is closed and the gate 107 is closed, thethird walls 220 and 222 of the movable section contacts the fourth walls231 and 232, respectively, while the fourth walls 231 and 232 contactthe fifth walls 404 and 406, respectively. In this manner, the tyingchamber is closed, and the bale rotates therein and is tied, asexplained above. When the tying is finished, the gate 107 opens byrotating (swinging) upward.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the diameter of the secondcircular path of the tying chamber is smaller than the diameter of thefirst circular path of the baling chamber. In this manner, the bale iscompressed inside the tying chamber.

Initially (FIG. 25), the movable section 103 is in its closed mode.Thus, the baling half chamber 102 and the front half chamber of themovable section 103 are joined together to form a baling chamber. Thefirst arcuate path of the first rollers and the second arcuate path ofthe second rollers form a first circular path. Thus, the inside of thebaling chamber is substantially cylindrical.

As the baler 400 moves forward, the collection unit 101 collects cropand feeds the crop into baling chamber. In the baling chamber the firstand second rollers rotate to cause the crop to roll around inside thebaling chamber. As more crop is fed into the baling chamber, acylindrical bale 109 is formed. As the bale 109 increase size anddensity, the bale pushes against the rollers with increasing force.

In FIG. 26, the bale 109 is fully formed by reaching a desired size anddensity, and therefore pushes against the rollers with a certainpressure. One or more pressure sensors associated with at least one ofthe first and/or second rollers detect the pressure and cause anactuator of the movable section 103 to open the movable section bymoving the front half chamber away from the baling half chamber, therebyopening the baling chamber. In the example of FIG. 26, the movablesection 103 has a hinge mechanism 224 joined to the top roller of thefirst rollers 204, so that the rotation of the movable section 103occurs around the top first roller 204 to open the movable section 103.As will be explained later in FIGS. 29 and 30, the movement of themovable section can occur in different manners. When the movable section103 is in the open mode, the bale 109 is released from the baling halfchamber 102 and allowed passage to the tying half chamber 105. Ifpresent, the conveyor 108 guides the bale 109 from the bling chamber 102to the tying half chamber. The conveyor 108 may include a conveyor belt,or a series of floor rollers, or a series of floor rollers which issurrounded by the conveyor belt, as explained above with reference toFIGS. 14, 17, 19 a, and 19 b.

In FIG. 27, the bale 109 reaches the tying half chamber, and the movablesection 103 closes. In this manner, the rear half chamber 210 of themovable section 103 joins the tying half chamber to form a tyingchamber. The third arcuate path of the third rollers and the fourtharcuate path of the fourth rollers are opposite sides of a secondcircular path. The third and fourth rollers rotate causing the bale 109to rotate about its cylindrical axis. As the bale 109 rotates, thebinding unit located in the rear half chamber or in the tying halfchamber binds the bale 109, as described above. Optionally, the size ofthe second circular path of the tying chamber is smaller than the sizeof the first circular path of the baling chamber. Therefore, as themovable section 103 closes, the bale 109 is compressed inside the tyingchamber. In some embodiments of the present invention, while the bale109 rotates within the tying chamber, no crop (except for the baleitself) is introduced from outside into the tying chamber.

It should be noted that the fourth walls and fifth walls of the tyinghalf chamber ensure that loose portions of dry crop are not lost fromthe bale during the binding of the bale.

As mentioned above, the baler 400 of the present invention is configuredto operate continuously. The collection unit 101 is configured forcontinuously collecting crop. Even as the bale 109 is being tied, newcrop is being collected and a new bale 200 is being formed in the balingchamber, as seen in FIGS. 27 and 28. Therefore, the baler's operation isnot stopped at any time.

In FIG. 28, the first bale 109 has been tied, and is released from thebaler 100 by opening the gate 107 and guiding the bale 109 via the thirdrollers of the movable section 103 and/or via the conveyor 108 at thefloor of the baler 400. In the meantime, while the movable section 103is still closed, the second bale 200 is still being formed. Once thefirst bale is out, the gate 107 is closed, and the process started inFIG. 25 repeats for the second bale 200. In some embodiment of thepresent invention, the baler 400 includes a proximity sensor associatedwith the tying chamber, to detect the presence of the bale inside thetying chamber or on the gate, once the gate has been opened. If theproximity sensor detects that the bale is no longer in the tyingchamber, the proximity sensor causes the gate 107 to close. In avariant, the proximity sensor includes a weight sensor associated withthe floor of the tying half chamber and/or the gate. Any other proximitysensors known in the art may be used to determine the presence orabsence of the bale.

In the present invention, a single baling chamber is formed, which has afixed section (the baling half chamber). The collection unitcontinuously collects crop and feeds the crop to the baling halfchamber. In this manner, there is no need to a complex control of thecollection unit, or a need to feed the crop to different balingchambers. Moreover, in the present invention, first and/or secondrollers are associate with a pressure sensor, so that once the balereaches a desired size and density, the associated pressure is detected,and the movable section is opened. In this manner there is no need forcomplex bale density measurement systems.

It should be noted that expression “half-chamber” does not mean theexact half of a chamber. Rather, the expression refers to a part of achamber, which when joined to another “half-chamber” forms a closedchamber.

FIG. 29 is an example of the baler 400 of FIG. 21, in which the movablepart is hingedly joined to the tying half-chamber, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

In a variant, the movable section 103 is hinged to the top of the fourthwalls of the tying half chamber 105 via a hinge mechanism 228. The hingemechanism allows rotation of the movable section 103 around the hingemechanism 228.

FIG. 29 is an example of the baler of FIG. 21, in which the movable partis joined to an elevator, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

In a variant, the movable section 103 is movable via an elevator. Thebaler 100 includes an elevator 230 and the movable section 103 is joinedto the elevator 230, such that the elevator is configured for raisingand lowering the movable section 103. When the movable section 103 is ina raised configuration, it is in the open mode, allowing passage of abale from the baling half chamber 102 to the tying half chamber 105.When the movable section 103 is in a lowered configuration, it is in aclosed mode, such that the baling half chamber 102 and the front halfchamber of the movable section 103 are joined to form a baling chamberconfigured for forming bales from collected crop, while the tying halfchamber and the read half chamber of the movable section 103 are joinedto form a tying chamber configured for tying and/or wrapping a balelocated therein.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart 300 illustrating a method for baling using abaler 100 or 400 as described above, according to some embodiments ofthe present invention.

At 302, crop of is continuously collected from a front side of thebaler. At 304, the collected crop is led solely to a baling chamber or abaling half-chamber. It should be noted that the collection of the cropand the leading of the crop to the baling chamber or baling half chamberoccurs even during the following steps of the method.

At 306, crop is rolled into a cylindrical bale in the baling chamber, bybeing rotated by the rollers of the baling chamber. At 308, when thebale has fully formed by reaching a desired size and density, themovable section is opened, thereby opening the baling chamber. The baleis led to a tying half chamber at 310.

At 312, the movable section is closed and a tying chamber is closed. At314, the bale is rotated in the tying chamber and bound, as describedabove. It should be noted that no crop beside the bale is introducedinto the tying chamber during the rotation of the bale in the tyingchamber. The bale has fully formed in the baling chamber prior to beingintroduced into the tying chamber. In some embodiments of the presentinvention, the tying chamber is smaller than the baling chamber.Therefore, the bale is compressed while rotating in the tying chamber.At 318, when the binding of the bale is completed, the gate at the rearend of the baling chamber is opened. At 320, the bale is led out of thegate and out of the baler. At 322, the gate is closed.

Although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplaryembodiments and implementations, it should be understood that thevarious features, aspects and functionality described in one or more ofthe individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to theparticular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can beapplied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the otherembodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments aredescribed and whether or not such features are presented as being a partof a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A continuous baler for forming bales of crop, thebaler comprising: (i) a collection unit at a front end of the baler, thecollection unit being configured for collecting the crop from a groundon which the continuous baler travels; (ii) a baling half chamberlocated behind the collection unit, configured to receive the crop fromthe collection unit and comprising two first walls and a plurality offirst horizontal rollers parallel to each other and disposed between thetwo first walls along a first arcuate path along a vertical plane; (iii)a movable section located aft of the baling half chamber, the movablesection comprising a front half chamber on a front side of the movablesection and a rear half chamber on a rear side thereof; the front halfchamber comprising two second walls and a plurality of second horizontalrollers parallel to each other and to the first horizontal rollers, anddisposed between the two second walls along a second arcuate path alonga vertical plane; the rear half chamber comprising two third walls and aplurality of third horizontal rollers parallel to each other, anddisposed between the two third walls along a third arcuate path along avertical plane; (iv) a tying half chamber located behind the movablesection and comprising: two fourth walls which are opposing side wallsof the tying chamber; and a gate located behind the fourth walls, thegate comprising two fifth walls and a plurality of fourth horizontalrollers parallel to each other and to the third horizontal rollers, anddisposed along a fourth arcuate vertical path between the two fifthwalls, the gate being hinged via a first hinge to a top section of eachof the fourth walls; (v) a binding unit located in the rear half chamberor in the tying half chamber; wherein: the movable section is movablebetween an open mode and a closed mode thereof; in the closed mode ofthe movable section, the baling half chamber and the front half chamberof the movable section are joined to form a substantially cylindricalbaling chamber in which the first arcuate path of the first rollers andthe second arcuate path of the second rollers form together a firstcircular path; the baling chamber is configured to rotate the cropreceived from the collection unit inside the cylindrical baling chamberin order to form a cylindrical bale; in the open mode of the movablesection, the front half chamber is moved away from the baling halfchamber, thereby opening the baling chamber and enabling passage of thebale into the tying half chamber; in the closed mode of the movablesection, the tying half chamber and the rear half chamber of the movablesection are joined to form a tying chamber in which the third arcuatepath of the third rollers and the fourth arcuate path of the fourthrollers form a second circular path, when the gate is closed; the tyingchamber is configured to cause the bale to rotate about the bale'scylindrical axis while activating the binding unit to bind the bale; thegate is configured for opening by swinging about the first hinge thereofto release the bale out of the baler, after the bale is bound.
 2. Thecontinuous baler of claim 1, wherein the second rollers are parallel tothe third rollers.
 3. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein thecollection unit is joined to the baling half chamber via a second hinge,and is configured to rotate around the second hinge for beingselectively lowered to the ground and raised from the ground.
 4. Thecontinuous baler of claim 1, wherein the first walls are parallel toeach other.
 5. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the second wallsare parallel to each other.
 6. The continuous baler of claim 1, whereinthe third walls are parallel to each other.
 7. The continuous baler ofclaim 1, wherein the fourth walls are parallel to each other.
 8. Thecontinuous baler of claim 1, wherein the movable section is joined to atop of the baling half chamber via a third hinge, and is configured tomove between the closed mode and the open mode by rotating about thethird hinge.
 9. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein the movablesection is joined to a top of the tying half chamber via a fourth hinge,and is configured to move between the closed mode and the open mode byrotating about the fourth hinge.
 10. The continuous baler of claim 1,further comprising an elevator, wherein the movable section is joined tothe elevator, such that the elevator is configured for raising themovable section to the open mode and for lowering the movable section tothe closed mode.
 11. The continuous baler of claim 1, comprising aconveyor located between the baling half chamber and the tying halfchamber, the conveyor being configured to carry the bale from the balinghalf chamber to the tying half chamber.
 12. The continuous baler ofclaim 11, wherein a rear section of the conveyor is the floor of thetying half chamber.
 13. The continuous baler of claim 1, comprising apressure sensor associated with at least one of the first rollers and/orat least one of the second rollers, and a first actuator configured formoving the movable section, wherein: the pressure sensor is configuredfor sensing a pressure exerted by the bale on the at least one of thefirst rollers and/or at least one of the second rollers when the movablesection is in the closed mode, and for causing the first actuator tomove the movable section to the open mode when the pressure reaches apredetermined pressure.
 14. The continuous baler of claim 1, wherein thefirst circular path is larger than the second circular path, such that aclosing of the movable section on the bale when the bale is in the tyingthe chamber is configured to compress the bale in the tying chamber. 15.The continuous baler of claim 1, further comprising a second actuatorand a sensing unit associated with the binding mechanism, wherein thesensing unit is configured for detecting an end of a binding of the baleinside the tying chamber and for causing the gate to open in order toeject the bale out of the baler.
 16. The continuous baler of claim 1,further comprising a second actuator and a proximity sensor associatedwith the tying chamber, wherein the proximity sensor is configured forsensing a presence of the bale in the tying chamber and on the gatewhile the gate is open and for causing the second actuator to close thegate if the presence of the bale is sensed neither in the tying chambernor on the gate.
 17. A method for forming crop bales, the methodcomprising: providing a baler; forming a baling chamber in the baler byjoining a front half chamber of a movable section to a fixed baling halfchamber; continuously collecting crop from a front side and leading thecrop solely to the fixed baling half chamber; rolling the crop to form abale in the baling chamber; once the bale is fully formed by reaching adesired size and density, opening the baling chamber, by moving themovable section away from the baling half chamber; leading the bale to atying half chamber; forming a tying chamber by closing the movablesection in order to join a rear half chamber of the movable section tothe tying half chamber; binding the bale in the tying chamber; once thebale is bound, opening a gate of the tying half chamber at a rear sideof the baler; leading the bale out of the baler via the gate; once thebale is out of the baler, closing the gate.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein: the forming of the tying chamber comprises simultaneouslyforming the baling chamber; the binding of the bale in the tying chambercomprises simultaneously forming a second bale in the baling chamber;the method comprises, after the closing of the gate, opening the balingchamber and leading the second bale to the tying half chamber.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the tying chamber is smaller than the balingchamber; and the forming of the tying chamber comprises compressing thebale in the tying chamber.
 20. A continuous baler for forming bales ofcrop, the baler comprising: (i) a collection unit at a front end of thebaler, the collection unit being configured for collecting the crop froma ground on which the continuous baler travels; (ii) a baling halfchamber located behind the collection unit, configured to receive thecrop from the collection unit; (iii) a movable section located aft ofthe baling half chamber, the movable section being movable between anopen mode and a closed mode thereof and comprising a front half chamberon a front side of the movable section and a rear half chamber on a rearside thereof; (iv) a tying half chamber located behind the movablesection, the tying half chamber comprising a gate at an aft portionthereof; and (v) a binding unit located in the rear half chamber or inthe tying half chamber; wherein: in the closed mode of the movablesection, the baling half chamber and the front half chamber are joinedto form a baling chamber, and the tying half chamber and the rear halfchamber are joined to form a tying chamber; the baling chamber isconfigured to rotate the crop received from the collection unit insidethe baling chamber in order to form a bale; in the open mode of themovable section, the front half chamber is disposed away from the balinghalf chamber, thereby forming an opening in the baling chamber andenabling passage of the bale into the tying half chamber; the tyingchamber is configured to cause the bale to rotate while activating thebinding unit to bind the bale; the gate is configured for opening torelease the bale out of the baler, after the bale is bound.